Transportation / Stay / Weather
Seattle is a city located in the northwest of Washington State, USA, known for its impressive scenery where the sea, mountains, and urban life harmoniously coexist under a sky often filled with gray clouds. As the birthplace of Starbucks, this city is deeply infused with music, art, and coffee culture, possessing a calm yet strangely warm charm that is as notable as its weather. Although it is a city with frequent rain, the cozy atmosphere of indoor spaces and the walking paths beneath the overcast sky add to its unique tranquil appeal.
I visited this charming city last March, and in this post, I would like to share my travel experience from that time. It took about 2 hours and 35 minutes to fly from LA, and after arriving in Seattle, I used the Link Light Rail and monorail to get around the city. Overall, the transportation system is well organized, making it quite convenient for travelers. Many people were using the Link to head to their hotels from the airport, and since it was daytime, I didn’t feel unsafe at all. Just a note, there are occasional ticket checks during the ride, but it’s not done every time; staff board randomly to check tickets. I actually saw a ticket check while traveling, so it’s best to keep your ticket on hand since you never know when it might be checked.
I stayed at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, where the room was very clean and the room service food exceeded my expectations in taste. I forgot to request a late checkout during check-in, but I noticed in the booklet provided in the room that there was a service to communicate with the lobby via text. So, I sent a text requesting a late checkout, and they responded quickly and kindly, leaving a good impression. It was convenient to resolve inquiries via text, and the responses were fast, making the overall experience pleasant.
Fairmont Olympic Hotel – Seattle
March in Seattle was quite chilly, and it rained briefly about twice during my trip. It didn’t rain heavily, but it did come down enough to wet the ground intermittently. An umbrella wasn’t strictly necessary, and I wore a padded jacket to prepare for the cold weather, along with a hat just in case it rained.
University of Washington & Suzzallo Library
After checking into the hotel, I headed straight to the University of Washington. If you take the Link light rail and get off at the University of Washington station, you can arrive right at the campus, where Suzzallo Library is located. This library is famous for its atmosphere, reminiscent of the magical school library in Harry Potter, and as a Harry Potter fan, it was one of the places I had always wanted to visit.
I walked through the school towards the library, and since it was Friday, there were many students on campus, and I saw quite a few people on tours as well. The historic buildings were impressive, and my anticipation grew as I got closer to Suzzallo Library. Inside the library, there were many students studying, so I was careful not to disturb them and quickly took some photos without staying long. Even in that brief moment, the ceiling, lighting, window frames, and bookshelves all gave me the feeling of stepping into a movie. The staircase leading to the library and the arched ceiling reminded me of the Hogwarts library from Harry Potter, and if you love Harry Potter, this is definitely a place worth visiting.
Suzzallo and Allen Libraries
Chihuly Garden and Glass
After leaving the University of Washington, I moved on to Chihuly Garden and Glass. This exhibition hall showcases the works of world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, featuring both indoor exhibits and an outdoor garden. You can purchase tickets online in advance, and there was also a bundle option that combined tickets for both Chihuly Garden and the Space Needle. Since I planned to visit both places, I booked the bundle ticket, which varies in price depending on the date, with discounts of up to $9 available.
The Chihuly Garden was filled with truly beautiful glass art pieces. The colors were vibrant and the shapes unique, drawing my attention to each one, making the entire space feel like a work of art. After viewing the indoor exhibits, you move on to the outdoor garden, where the glass pieces arranged in nature create a different atmosphere that was impressive. The scenes where glass, light, and plants harmonize continuously captivated my gaze, and it was a space I wanted to linger in and explore slowly, even for a moment. It’s one of the places I highly recommend visiting if you’re in Seattle.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Space Needle
The Space Needle is located right next to the Chihuly Garden, making it a great place to visit both at once. Originally, I had booked a time in the evening to see the night view, but I thought it would be inefficient to go back and forth to another location, so I asked at the ticket booth if it was possible to change the time. Fortunately, the staff kindly adjusted the time for me, and I was able to go up right away.
The Space Needle is a prominent observation tower in Seattle, built for the 1962 World Fair, standing at about 184 meters tall. When you take the elevator to the observation deck, you can enjoy an open view of not only downtown Seattle but also the sea, mountains, and forests all at once. When I went up, it started to rain lightly, which made the cloudy Seattle landscape seen through the glass windows feel even more atmospheric. The observation deck has both indoor and outdoor spaces with glass railings, allowing for free movement, and inside the deck, they sell simple snacks like beer and chips, making it a great place to sit back and enjoy the view of Seattle.
Space Needle
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
One of the places that comes to mind when thinking of Seattle is Starbucks. The first Starbucks store is located at Pike Place Market, and the world’s first Starbucks Reserve Roastery opened here in Seattle in December 2014, which is probably why you see so many Starbucks locations while walking around.
On the second day of my trip, I visited the Starbucks Reserve Roastery right at opening time, 7 AM. As soon as I walked in, the aroma of coffee filled the air, and perhaps because it was early, the store was quiet and not crowded. The store was quite spacious and had a diverse layout, making it fun to explore. After pondering what to drink, I ordered the Cold Brew Trio Flight, which allows you to taste several flavors at once. I initially thought I wouldn’t notice much difference, but all three coffees had distinct aromas and flavors. The Whiskey Barrel–Aged, infused with whiskey flavor, was particularly impressive, and my brother, who loves whiskey, especially enjoyed it. After finishing my coffee, I browsed the merchandise section set up in one corner of the store. There were many things I wanted to buy, like tumblers, mugs, eco bags, and coffee beans, and after much deliberation, I ended up purchasing a tumbler, two bags of coffee beans as gifts, one bag for myself, and an eco bag. The coffee was great, but the space itself also captured the atmosphere of Seattle beautifully, leaving a lasting impression.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is a representative traditional market in Seattle that opened in 1907, and it is a vibrant space where the daily lives of Seattle residents and the footsteps of travelers naturally intertwine, reflecting its long history. Inside the market, you can find local produce, handmade crafts, a variety of local foods, as well as unique shops selling flowers, seafood, baked goods, and coffee. The indoor and outdoor areas are connected, so as you stroll leisurely, you soon feel like you’ve ventured deep into the market. The seafood corner is particularly famous for its performance of throwing fish to customers while taking orders, attracting many tourists who come specifically to witness this scene. It is a place that embodies the personality and vitality of the city of Seattle beyond just being a simple market.
We also considered this place one of the highlights of our Seattle trip. Even though we visited early in the morning, it was already bustling with many people, and the entire market was filled with a lively atmosphere. The scale was much larger than we expected, and the market was full of elements that made us stop in our tracks, from fresh seafood to homemade honey, beautiful flower bouquets, handmade soaps and crafts, and the fragrant aroma of coffee wafting from local cafes. Near the market, there are the original Starbucks, the gum wall, and famous eateries, making it a great spot to visit together. If you’re in Seattle, I highly recommend stopping by this place at least once.
Pike Place Market
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
There were various shops lined up on the streets outside Pike Place Market, and we stopped by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. It is usually famous for its long lines, but since we visited early in the morning, we were able to order almost immediately without waiting. Inside the store, there were displayed cheeses, and you had to pay first before ordering food separately.
First, I paid for the Fresh Cheese Curds and then ordered the World’s Best Mac & Cheese. Before the mac and cheese arrived, I tried the cheese curds, but they were quite different from what I expected in terms of texture. I thought they would have a chewy mozzarella-like feel, but instead, they were firmer and surprisingly bland, which wasn’t to my taste. On the other hand, the mac and cheese, which I ordered without much expectation, turned out to be much tastier than I anticipated. Honestly, it wasn’t anything special in terms of ingredients or flavor, but perhaps because I saw the cheese-making process right in front of me, it felt richer. The warm and creamy texture was nice, and it was a simple yet satisfying snack to enjoy.
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
Rachel’s Ginger Beer
As soon as I crossed the street from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, I spotted Rachel’s Ginger Beer, a place we were eager to check out since we love cocktails. The store had a casual and charming atmosphere, and the illustrations on the walls were impressive.
After checking my ID, I ordered a mango-flavored cocktail slushy, which was refreshing and light. While drinking, the alcohol taste was hardly noticeable, making it feel like just a mango drink, but afterward, I felt a subtle buzz. Although it seemed like a cold drink not quite suited for the weather, it was so delicious that I ended up finishing it. It was also a nice spot to take a break while exploring the market.
Rachel’s Ginger Beer
Starbucks Original Store & Clam Chowder
When it comes to Pike Place Market, two things are a must: the original Starbucks and clam chowder. I spent quite a bit of time at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the morning, and since a friend had already gifted me a mug from the original Starbucks, I decided to skip visiting the original store this time. As expected, there was a long line outside the store, and if you want to visit the original Starbucks, it’s best to get there early in the morning.
Pike Place Chowder, famous for its clam chowder, was right next to Rachel’s Ginger Beer, and there was quite a long line there too. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the patience to wait, so I bought clam chowder from another shop inside the market, which turned out to be much tastier than I expected. There are several places selling clam chowder within Pike Place Market, so if it’s too crowded, it might be a good idea to enjoy it from somewhere else. After exploring the market, I headed towards The Seattle Great Wheel. It was located not far from the market, near the pier, and the Ferris wheel was visible from a distance. If it had been night, I would have wanted to ride it for the night view, but since it was daytime, I didn’t feel the need to ride it. Instead, I strolled around the area, and there were several souvenir shops around the pier, making it a nice place to browse. I tend to collect magnets whenever I travel, so I bought a Seattle magnet as a keepsake.
The Museum of Flight
After about a 20-minute Uber ride from the pier, I arrived at The Museum of Flight. This is Seattle’s representative aviation museum, covering a variety of aircraft and aviation technology, from civilian aviation to military planes and space-related exhibits. Inside, you can follow the development of aircraft from early planes to modern passenger jets, and there are cockpit experiences and video materials available throughout, so there was never a dull moment.
At first, I thought the indoor exhibition was all there was, but there was also a large outdoor exhibition space behind the museum. There, I was able to enter the interiors of actual airplanes, and it was fun to compare the seating and cockpit layouts, which varied by model. I was tired from walking all day, but I felt glad that I didn’t miss this space. Since the museum is quite large, I recommend that anyone interested take at least half a day to leisurely explore it.
The Museum of Flight
With The Museum of Flight as the final stop, I wrapped up my short but fulfilling journey in Seattle. It was a time to slowly walk and personally experience the various charms of the city of Seattle. From the calm atmosphere unique to a rainy city to the vibrant market and stylish spaces, it was a trip filled with memorable moments.
